GFEST – Gaywise FESTival - which is recognised as London’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) cross-art festival for all - received a message of support from Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London. The 2013 festival programme has been announced on GFEST website: http://gaywisefestival.org.uk

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said in his message of support: ‘The GFEST — Gaywise FESTival is an important element of the great cultural offer of London. It offers a platform to a diverse mix of emerging, and more established artists, to showcase their talents, and present their interpretation of the global LGBT movement.’

All GFEST 2013 events will showcase diverse talent at Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham under the broader theme of ‘Art Riots – positive contributions by diverse artists in the community’. The 2013 festival dates are 7 to 9 November.

Niranjan Kamatkar, the artistic director of GFEST and the arts charity Wise Thoughts which organises the annual November event, said that he is very pleased with the Mayor’s statement of support.

GFEST – Gaywise FESTival is one of the first LGBT arts events that was launched in the UK Parliament in 2008 with the support of David Lammy MP. The festival had attracted cross party support including from the Prime Minister, former arts and culture ministers and MPs.